Fly-trap



(Nb Model.)

/T.A.TIEATE.

FLY TRAP.

Patented July'25, 189.3.

v TlzamasA Talia NITED- STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. TEATE, OF WAUKEENAH, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE W. SAXON,OF TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA.

FLY-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,056, dated July 25,1893.

Application filed February 27, 1893. Serial No. 463.863. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. TEATE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Waukeenah, in the county of-Jefferson and State of Florida,have invented a new and useful Fly- Trap, of which the following is aspecification. I

This invention relates to fly traps, and has for its object to provide adevice of the character set forth that is arranged to be suspended froma ceiling, wall, or other support and that will automatically set itselfin operative position.

With these ends in view, the invention consists of the construction andarrangement of the parts thereof as will be more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View of a fly trap embodyingthe invention, shown in suspended position and open in full lines andclosed in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line a:a;of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the spring suspendingand operating devices.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 designate two boardsthat form the front and back parts of the trap and have their upper endsbeveled from opposite sides, as at 8, so that they may be closelyarranged and hingedly connected by a plate 4:, attached to the uppertermination of each edge of the board 2 in a permanent position in suchmanner that the said plates project forwardly and embrace the oppositeupper edges of the board 1, being connected to the latter by singlepivot-bolts 5. The said plates 4 are also formed with openings 6, one ineach, that removably receive the upturned ends 7 of a yieldingsuspending yoke 8, preferably formed of wire and having a loop 9 at thecenter thereof to which the suspending cord 10 is attached. The oppositearms of the yoke 8 project downwardly at an incline to enter theopenings 6 of the plates 4:, and thereby the loop 9 is positioned abovethe beveled edges 8 of the boards land 2. A continuous spring-yoke 11embraces the upper parts of the boards 1 and 2, and has the legs thereofmovably passing through staples 12 secured to saidboard, and theterminating ends of said legs bent in such direction, as at 13, as toprevent disconnection of the legs of the spring yoke 11 from the boards.The center of the said spring yoke 11 is coiled through the loop 9 ofthe yoke 8, and by this means,

said spring yoke is held in proper position relatively to the boards 1and 2, and the function of the legs of the said spring yoke is to holdthe boards 1 and 2 separated from each other and cause the same at alltimes to return to such position when the pressure or tension exertedthereon to draw said boards together is removed. To the bottom edge ofthe board 2, and at the center thereof, is secured a staple 14, and inlike manner to the bottom edge of the board 1 is secured a staple 15;and to the said staple 14 is permanently secured the end of an operatingcord 16, and loosely passed through the staple 15, said operating cordbeing of any suitable length to conveniently position the same inproximity to an operator.

In operation, the board 2 has a covering of adhesive substance, such assugar, molasses,

or other material, applied thereto that will attract the flies, gnats,or other insects, and the latter being drawn to the said substance willlight upon the back 2. The operator then grasps the cord 16 and givingthe same a quick jerkcauscs the boards 1 and 2 to be drawn against eachother, thereby crushing the flies or other insects that were attractedto the board 2. After repeated operations the flies or insects areremoved from the board 2 by scraping the same therefrom, and the trap isagain in condition for use, it being understood that it will bereplenished from time to time with the material that is placed on theboard 2 to attract the flies or insects.

It will be obviously apparent that the Ge vice can be made in anydesirable size, and that changes in the form, proportion, and the minordetails of construction maybe resorted to without departing from theprinciple or sacrificing any of the advantages of this in vention.

Having described claimed as new is 1. In a fly trap, the combination oftwo dethe invention, what is pending downwardly diverging boards orpieces of material hingedlyconnectedat their upper ends, a yokeforsuspending said boards or pieces of inateriaha spring yoke arrangedtransversely to the aforesaid yoke normally holding said boards apartfrom each other and automatically returning them to said position afterthey have been closed, and an operating cord secured to the lower end ofone of said boards or pieces of material and loosely engaging the lowerend of the opposite board or piece of material, whereby the said boardsmay be drawn together, substantially as described.

2. I11 a fly trap, the combination of two depending downwardly diverginghingedly connected boards having their lower ends normally spread apartfrom each other and suspended by their upper ends, a spring for holdingsaid boards apart from each other, and an operating cord for drawingsaid boards together, substantially as described.

3. In a fly trap, the combination of two deending downwardly divergingboards with upper beveled ends arranged closely together and hingedlyconnected, a suspending yoke attached to the upper ends of said boardsand having a central loop, a spring yoke loosely engaging the saidboards in a direction transverse to the position of the aforesaid yokeand having a coil engaging the loop of said yoke, the lower ends of saidboards being held apart normally, and an operating cord secured to thelower end of one board and loosely engaging the lowerend of the oppositeboard, whereby said boards may be drawn together, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses. h

THOMAS A. TEATE.

Witnesses:

R. C. PARKHILL, J. H. J OHNSON.

